Thursday, September 18, 2008

Neah Bay emergency response tug assists fishing vessel

The emergency rescue tug stationed at Neah Bay, Hunter, assisted a 106-foot fishing vessel on Wednesday after it lost propulsion at sea.

The Papado II was about 27 miles southwest of Cape Flattery when it became disabled. Sea water leaked into the engine room, causing the main engine to become inoperable. The Papado II was in no immediate danger but was drifting at sea.

A standby emergency response tug has been on station at Neah Bay since spring 1999. The state has directly funded the tug since year 2000. Funding for the tug ends on June 30, 2009. The tug has stood by or assisted 41 ships that were disabled or had reduced maneuvering or propulsion capability while transporting oil and other cargo along the coast and through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The actions helped ensure the ships didn't drift onto rocks and spill oil.

Ecology’s Neah Bay Emergency Response Tug information page:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/response_tug/tugresponsemainpage.htm

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